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The Hardweird
126 The street known as the Hardweird, so named as having been built on the Hardweird Croft. The last street in Aberdeen to show the 'forestairs' that were so common in the older streets of the town. Some of the houses were demolished in 1908. The Hardweird ran from Skene Row to Jack's Brae. Skene Row came off Skene Street, opposite Chapel Street.
This photograph looks east and is likely taken not far from the junction of Hardweird and Upper Denburn. These dwellings are those that stood on the south side of Hardweird. The land was later developed as utility type facilities with Skene Street School playing field above. Old bed of River Dee
314 This photograph looks east from the field below Devanha House, roughly where the street Devanha Gardens East stands today, towards the River Dee and Torry beyond. The image shows the old river bed prior to its diversion in 1869.
Prospect Terrace can be seen at the end of the field and beyond this lane are buildings of the Devanha Brewery and some nearby houses. The archways that can be seen on the left are part of the viaduct for the Caledonian Railway heading north towards the nearby Guild Street stations.
The open archway is likely where Wellington Road, now South College Street, passes under the railway. Much of this viaduct can still be seen today and remains how trains reach the city centre from the south. Seaton House
573 The house was acquired by Aberdeen City Council in 1947 and was demolished in 1963 after being destroyed by fire.
Previous owners had been the Hay family since 1849. The house was of three periods. The oldest portions in the north-west wing, dating from the mid 17th century were built by James Gordon, a baillie of Old Aberdeen in 1661, who died 1714.
The most interesting part was the south block, built of brickwork with dressed work in sandstone, the piended roof slated; the main entrance doorway in the central section under the pediment and three-light window was grand classical architecture. It was built around 1715 for Gordon's son-in-law, Colonel John Middleton, MP for the Aberdeen Burghs and the architect was possibly Middleton's friend James Gibbs.
The north-east wing was early 19th Century in date. Quaker Meeting House
771 A photograph of the the Quaker meeting house that was located between Gallowgate and Sea Mount Place. This image shows the front elevation of the building that faced south east on to Port Hill.
The large scale Ordnance Survey town plan of Aberdeen (sheet LXXV.11.8., surveyed in 1867) indicates that their associated burial ground was located to the west of the building, towards Gallowgate. The plan also states that the meeting house had seating for 350 people.
The Quaker Meeting Houses Heritage Project (link here) states that the group first established their meeting house and burial ground on this site in 1672 and they continued to meet there until moving to a new location in 1800.
This building was later acquired by John Watt & Sons, leather merchants. The upper part had louvre windows which made it suitable for drying leather. Later OS maps suggest the building may have stood as a ruin into the mid-20th century.
At the time of writing in 2022, the site is now an elevated outdoor space surrounded by blocks of flats, to the south of Porthill Court, that go from Gallowgate around Seamount Road
A more recent, late-Victorian Quaker meeting house can be found at 98 Crown Street, Aberdeen.
To find out more about Quakers in Aberdeen, in addition to the above mentioned Quaker Meeting House Heritage Project, there is information on a relevant collection of books held by the University of Aberdeen, including a list of associated publications, here. Bankhead
937 A postcard image showing Bankhead from the east.
Bankhead is a residential area to the north east of Bucksburn on the south side of the River Don. It was once geographically separate, but is now a contiguous part of Aberdeen along with Bucksburn and Stoneywood to the North.
Stoneywood Church can be see on the left of this image and Bankhead Road is in the centre.
Station Road runs north from the church. The railway line can be seen on the far right. Bankhead Station once stood on the opposite end of this street from the church.
In the distance on the right, popping above the tree line, can be seen the top of Waterton School. The façade of the central part of this building is inscribed with the date of 1864.
Sclattie Quarry cannot be seen in this image but was located to the south of Bankhead. It would out of shot to the left and rear of this image. This photograph may have been taken from a quarry related structure. George Street
1194 This 1987 view of the east side of George Street show the premises at 12-16 and at 20-22 George Street in their last days before being demolished. The Rubber Shop had been in business in the city since 1890 when its founder, George Fowler opened premises at 16 St. Nicholas Street called the London Rubber Company, supplying waterproofs, sports goods, hosepipes, washers etc. This expanded into a wide variety of toys and leather goods. In 1945, they moved from St. Nicholas Street to these premises in George Street where they continued to sell toys, sports equipment, china and fancy goods until July 1986 when the impending development of the Bon Accord Centre forced their closure. Newpark
1521 A photograph of the gateway and avenue of Newpark. Located between Sheddocksley and Kingswells, this property was once known as Cuttlehill.
In Historical Walks and Names (1927) local historian G. M. Fraser writes:
"You descend Brimmond Hill at the south-west corner, and passing between the properties of Fairley and Cloghill, you presently pass the farm of Gillahill (properly Gallowhill), on your left, and strike the western end of the "Lang Stracht," near the property of Newpark. This is a comparatively recent name for Cuttlehill, the property that once formed part of Sheddocksley, and was bought in 1777 by Robert Dyce of Aberdeen, father of the well-known physician, Dr. William Dyce, of Cuttlehill, whose town house for many years was No. 48 Marischal Street. In this country residence of Cuttlehill, the old entrance gate and avenue of which are still in existence, was born on 19th September, 1806, William Dyce, afterwards William Dyce, R.A., a gifted artist, who took a leading part in decorating the House of Lords, and better still, who, having been sent by the government to report on the Art schools of the Continent in the middle of the last century, was the means of re-organising the art education system of Great Britain. It is singular that this accomplished man, although he is commemorated on a monumental brass in Streatham Parish Church, where he latterly stayed, is as yet unremembered by any mark on his father's house in Aberdeen, where he passed the early part of his life."
Newpark and the gated and avenue, though likely thoroughly modified, can still be seen today.
Other sources suggest that William Dyce, the above mentioned artist, was born at 48 Marischal Street. His birthplace remains something of a mystery. There is no indication of the location in the old parish register record of his baptism at St. Nicholas Kirk. Brae Farm
1790 This photograph was taken in 1951 by James Kellas and looks east showing, on the left, the rear of Brae Farm, located on Morningside Road, and part of 142 Morningside Avenue on the right.
There was originally a Brae Farm to the north west of this location that can be seen the Ordnance Survey map published in 1869 (Aberdeen Sheet LXXV.14). Just to the north of the old farm on the map is a single Aberdeen Water Works reservoir.
An article from The Leopard magazine by Diane Morgan (October/November 1985) explains that in 1885 an Aberdeen Corporation Water Act was passed to empower the Town Council to take eight million gallons daily from the River Dee and to build a second reservoir at Mannofield. This was to keep up with the city's rapid population increase.
To carry out the expansion, the council acquired the land adjoining the initial reservoir including the first Brae Farmhouse and its steadings. They then became known as Reservoir Cottage and Reservoir House and served as the home of the inspector of the water works. A relatively early inspector was called William Clark. On 28th February 1898 he died at the cottage aged 64. He was buried in the John Knox Churchyard (Aberdeen Weekly Journal, 02/03/1898, p.4).
Clark was likely succeeded as waterworks inspector by James Forsyth. The Forsyth family lived at the cottage well into the 20th century. James was married to Margaret (née Jaffray), who died after him on 28th July 1945, aged 85. Their second son, Sapper John Forsyth, died aged 26 at Oldmill Military Hospital on 20th April 1917. He was buried at Springback Cemetery.
The reservoirs continue to play a vital role in supplying water to Aberdeen. The cottage and house however were demolished in the late 20th century and replaced by modern water treatment buildings.
As shown on the 1901 OS map, sometime shortly after the passing of the 1885 act the Brae Farm we can see in this picture was built to the south east, where Morningside Road met Auchinyell Bridge. To the east, Aberdeenshire County Cricket Ground was also built around the same time.
This later Brae Farm was the home to the Kinnaird family for the first half of the 20th century. The heads of the family were Frank Kinnaird and Margaret Amelia Smith.
Their son Lance-Corporal A. G. Kinnaird, of the Royal Scots, was reported as a prisoner of war in Germany in June 1918. Prior to the war he had worked with the Clydesdale Bank (Evening Express, 03/06/1918 p.3).
Frank's eldest daughter, Jessie Sinclair, married James Smith Mathieson at Ruthrieston U.F. Church on 7th September 1927 (Evening Express, 08/09/1927, p.6).
A younger daughter, Edith Kinnaird, married a man from Portsmouth called Andrew Livingstone in July 1936. The marriage took place in Ruthrieston West Church and the reception was at the Caledonian Hotel (Press & Journal, 06/06/1936 p.8).
Daughters Amelia Elizabeth and Margaret Kinnaird both left Brae Farm in the 1920s (1924 and 1920, respectively) to reunite with fiancés who had travelled ahead to Canada.
Frank Kinnaird died on 12th August 1950, aged 84.
At some point during the 1930s-1950s the residential streets we know today, Morningside Avenue, Terrace and Place were constructed between the reservoir and the new farmstead. These streets take their name from Morningside Farm to the east. As can be seen in this photograph, the farm stood into the 1950s. It was eventually demolished when Morningside Avenue was extended to meet Morningside Road. The newer bungalows can be distinguished by their tiled, rather than slated roofs. Milk from the Kirkhill Dairy
2236 Milk being delivered by two milk boys on Victoria Road, Torry. The milk came from the Kirkhill Dairy, Balnagask. The photograph shows a horse drawn cart.
Ian Smith has kindly been in touch to inform us that the man behind the cart is his grandfather, Albert Corbett. He ran Kirkhill Farm for much of his life.
The golden anniversary of Albert and Georgina Corbett (née Todd) was reported in the Press & Journal of 9th September 1970, page 18. The article explains that the couple had left South Kirkhill Farm, where Albert had farmed for 47 years, the previous year, moving to 28 Leggart Terrace.
They met when Georgia, an Aberdonian, moved to Fraserburgh. Albert worked on his family's nearby farm, called Watermill, and delivered milk to Georgina's landlady.
After marriage, and before moving to Balnagask, the couple lived in Strichen and ran a diary there. The article concludes stating, both aged 71, Albert and his wife had two daughters, named Mrs Irene Smith and Mrs Ethel Douglas, and three sons, Bert, James and Alistair. They also had nine grandchildren.
A family notice from the 10th January 1978 issue of the same newspaper states that Albert B. D. Corbett had died after a short illness, aged 79, the day before. A service was held for him on the 12th of that month at the Aberdeen Crematorium, Hazlehead (West Chapel).
Ian also checked with family members and informs us that the boy on the right in this photograph is Andy Cowe, who later moved to Seattle, USA, and on the left is Jocky Milne.
The Ordnance Survey, 25 inch to the mile, map of Balnagask published in 1899 indicates that there was once three houses called Kirkhill in the area; North, South and East.
South Kirkhill was located on the south side of Balnagask Road, a bit to the east of Balnagask House and Mains. East Kirkhill was not far to the east, on the other side of St. Fittick's Road and North Kirkhill was up towards Greyhope Road.
Later maps tell us that the original South Kirkhill was demolished by the early 20th century and by the 1950s East Kirkhill had taken its name. None of the residences remain today, the area of North Kirkhill is now part of Balnagask Golf Club and St. Fittick's Community Garden is now roughly where East (later South) Kirkhill once stood. North Kirkhill used to be the home of the greenkeeper of the golf course.
The use of the name Kirkhill likely refers to the nearby old St. Fittick's Church and the hilly terrain of Balnagask and Torry. Elephant at Fidler's Well
2738 A photograph of a elephant drinking from Fidler's Well on Guild Street. The image featured in the Press & Journal of 14th May 1929 on their photograph page. It was captioned "Jumbo has a last drink" and suggested the elephant was shortly leaving Aberdeen. The animal was likely part of a circus travelling by train.
The well was at this time located on the south side of Guild Street near its junction with Market Street. The distinctive stonework of the Tivoli Theatre can just be seen on the right of this image. 493-501 Union Street
2787 A small part of F. W. F. Wishart, fleshers, 493 and Chivas Brothers, grocers, at 501 Union Street in around 1937. This was the last building on the south side of Union Street before Holburn Street. Old Gateway, Marischal College
3127 A photograph showing the gateway on Broad Street that once lead through to Marischal College and Greyfriars Church. It was demolished to make way for the new frontage of the College opened in 1906. On the right can be seen a small part of the College Gate Clothing House.
The following description is given on the back of this undated printed image:
"The City of Aberdeen has risen rapidly within the last decade or two in population and in importance as a commercial centre, and those conducting its business have from time to time found it necessary to adapt themselves and their premises to the altered circumstances. There is no business in connection with the Drapery Trade which has developed more than that conducted by the Proprietor of Greyfriars Warehouse. The business was commenced in 1867, in a small shop with one window on the east side of Broad Street, in front of Marischal College. Two years later a double shop adjoining was added, and, in 1878, the premises known as Greyfriars Buildings were opened, with several new departments.
"Ultimately these were found to be insufficient for the rapidly increasing business, when three blocks of buildings were secured on the west side of Broad Street, fronting Marischal College. These were partly rebuilt and arranged so as to admit of the introduction of new departments, such as Furniture, Carpets, Bedding and General Upholstery, and during the past year an entirely new block has been erected." March Stone 1 CR|ABD
3177 This stone is located near the kerb at 79 Hardgate, at the east side of the intersection with Union Glen. It is march stone 1 and marks the the junction of the Inner and Outer Marches to the south of the town.
The 1929 Blue Book gives the following 1525 description for an earlier version of the stone: "[...] ane gret grey stane, with ane sawssir [...]". It was still marked with a saucer in 1698 but a new stone marked '1 ABD CR' was in place by the late 18th century.
The Ordnance Survey town plan of Aberdeen from 1867 has a first March stone marked on the north east corner of the New Bridge, on the Hardgate, which went over the then open Hol Burn. This stream ran east then south, joining Ferryhill Burn on its way to the Dee (where we can now find the Alpha stone).
The Hol and Ferryhill burns have since been fully, or for the most part, covered over by urban development.
The Blue Book records stone 1 at the north gable of 81 Hardgate and a photograph of it up-right at this location is included.
The inscription in this 1980s image looks different and the marker was likely moved to this flat, roadside location when the properties on the Hardgate were redeveloped sometime in the mid-20th century. The stone would have been either moved and altered, or replaced.
The stone in 2020 looks in better condition than shown here in the 1980s, which suggests it has had further attention in the intervening years.
A slide of this image was kindly lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Colin Johnston so that we could create a digital copy for public use.
The image was taken in the early 1980s when Colin worked as a teacher at Bridge of Don Academy. He led several current and former pupils, and staff members in an investigation into the location, physical condition and public knowledge of Aberdeen's historic boundary markers. Pocra Quay
3568 This is a photograph taken from the Pocra Quay looking south-east across the harbour.
The hill of Balnagask is visible in the background. The image depicts a line of steam drifters, which were primarily used to catch herring.
A number of ships registered in Banff are visible with drifter Winner (BF1805) in the front. It was built in 1905 by William Geddes for John, James and Peter Reid from Portgordon.
Between 1915-1919, during the World War I it was a part of Admiralty Service under the number 3153. It served as a net vessel, which laid out anti-submarine or anti-torpedo nets.
The ship belonged to the Reid family until it was broken up in 1952 and is known as the last Portgordon drifter.
River Dee and Creag nam Ban
4224 A photograph, looking east, showing the River Dee between Ballater and Braemar. Beyond the river is the outline of Creag nam Ban and Sgor an h-Iolaire. These hills stand to the south east of Abergledie.
This image likely dates from the 1970s or 80s. It is a part of a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's Publicity department. Buchan Ness Lighthouse
4231 A photograph looking north east from Boddam towards the Buchan Ness Lighthouse.
Buchan Ness is a rocky headland to the east of Boddam, a small village 3-4 miles south of Peterhead.
The Northern Lighthouse Board website states that the lighthouse was established in 1827. Robert Stevenson was the engineer and it was built by John Gibb of Aberdeen. In 1988 the Lighthouse was automated and has been remotely monitored since.
This image likely dates from the 1970s or 80s. It is a part of a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's Publicity department. Union Terrace Gardens: before and after 11
4295 The before image looks east towards the statue of Edward VII at the junction of Union Street and Union Terrace. Trees at the southern end of the gardens are shown on the left. Taken on 19/07/2019.
The after photograph shows the Union Street Pavilion on the left. The spires of the South Parish Church building on Belmont Street and St. Nicholas Kirk are visible in the background. New ramped access to the park can also be seen. Taken on 20/08/2023.
This composite image is part of a series by Roddy Millar showing Union Terrace Gardens and its surrounds before and after its major redevelopment. 42 St. Paul Street (paint works)
4340 A photograph showing buildings at 42 St. Paul Street in around 1986 or 1987.
This image is one of a series taken by Aberdeen City Council to record buildings prior to the redevelopment of the area and construction of the Bon Accord shopping centre.
This image shows part of the wall of the former paint works at the corner of St. Paul Street and Drum Lane. The latter alley led south east to Upperkirkgate and would have been located to the right of the frame. On the opposite side of the street shown here was St. Paul Primary School.
Looking east, the spire of the Mitchell Tower of Marischal College can be seen in the background.
These buildings were demolished to make way for the Bon Accord Centre. The only part of St. Paul Street which remains today is a small section coming west off the Gallowgate, providing access to a Bon Accord Centre service area and parking for the Portland Club. The shopping centre covers the majority of the former site of the street. 42 St. Paul Street (east of 42)
4341 A photograph showing a wall to the east of 42 St. Paul Street during 1986 or 1987.
This image is one of a series taken by Aberdeen City Council to record buildings prior to the redevelopment of the area and construction of the Bon Accord shopping centre.
Looking south, this wall was likely part of building connected to the former paint works at 42 St. Paul Street. Further east along the street was a printing works at nos. 16-18.
This building and its surrounds were demolished to make way for the Bon Accord Centre. The only part of St. Paul Street which remains today is a small section coming west off the Gallowgate, providing access to a Bon Accord Centre service area and parking for the Portland Club. The shopping centre has covers the majority of the former site of the street. Aberdeen Market: before and after demolition 1
4360 The before image shows the south east corner and the main Market Street entrance of Aberdeen Market before its demolition in 2022. Taken on 26/08/2021.
The after image shows the cleared area following demolition. The market building is completely gone and the area has been walled off. Artwork and graffiti decorate the barricades. The rear of buildings on Union Street can be seen in the background. Taken on 06/09/2023.
This composite image is part of a series by Roddy Millar showing Aberdeen Market and its surrounds before and after it was demolished. Aberdeen Market 22 - main entrance on Market Street
4398 A Roddy Millar photograph showing the main entrance to the Aberdeen Market building on Market Street.
This image dates from over a year after the building had been closed to the public in March 2020. The entranceway consequently shows some signs of disuse.
The steps, entrance doors and signage can be seen clearly. The latter features the branding of the Market's last operators, Aberdeen Market Village.
Above the entranceway part of the building's east elevation can be seen with its name in relief lettering.
Adverts for a number of the businesses that had occupied units within the Market are attached to the entrance.
Photograph taken on 27/08/2021. Treasure 87: His Majesty's Theatre Posters
299 December 2016 marks 110 years since His Majesty's Theatre (HMT) was built on Rosemount Viaduct. The venue was designed by the renowned English theatre architect Frank Matcham (22 November 1854 - 18 May 1920) and opened with a production of Red Riding Hood.
His Majesty's Theatre is now operated by Aberdeen Performing Arts and remains an important part of the cultural life of the city. On its construction HMT replaced The Tivoli as Aberdeen's leading venue for plays and pantomimes. The Tivoli was sold two days prior to the opening of His Majesty's with the stipulation that it would not programme competing productions.
His Majesty's is the largest theatre in the north east of Scotland and continues to be a popular venue on UK's touring circuit. The venue's varied programme includes shows from London's West End and productions by Scotland's national arts companies.
Over the last 110 years Aberdeen City Libraries have collected a number of posters, flyers and programmes from throughout the history of our theatrical neighbour, some of which are on display here.
Take a closer look at posters from HMT's history on our interactive exhibition on the touchscreen. Skene Street
443 This image was digitised from Artistic Aberdeen: A Sketch Book (1932) by W. S. Percy.
The book describes the scene as follows:
"Skene Street. This drawing picks out some of the more picturesque houses in the thoroughfare that goes westward from Rosemount Viaduct towards Queen's Cross. Before that point is reached, however, the name has been changed to Carden Place. The name of Skene, it is supposed, was given to the street because it is one of the principal exits from the city leading to the district of Skene, some dozen miles beyond Aberdeen. The buildings beyond the railings on the right have long been known as "The Galleries," another Aberdeen puzzle in nomenclature, for which ingenious solutions have been offered."
This sketch appears to depict a part of Skene Street that is now much changed. Looking east, these dwellings are likely those that were on the south side of road between Chapel Street and Whitehouse Street. These houses were demolished and the land developed into a 20th century residential estate including green space and trees. |